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Overview
The study of criminal behavior and law enforcement is more sophisticated than ever before—and at College of Western Idaho (CWI), we are preparing many students to start a career in this exciting field. In our Criminal Justice program, you will discover and appreciate complex issues in legal studies, sociology, political science, psychology, arrest, and search and seizure. Our goal is to prepare you to pursue a career in local, state, and federal law enforcement, court administration, victim services, and corrections.
Mission
The Criminal Justice Program provides students a knowledge of the criminal justice system, creates inspirational and professional leadership through classroom guidance and real-world opportunities, dispels myths, broadens perspectives, and produces educated, well-rounded, criminal justice professionals, and informed members of the community.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major components of the criminal justices system, theoretical perspectives of crime causation, empirical findings, and historical trends in criminal justice.
- Understand basic research methods in criminal justice, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation of crime data.
- Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to criminal behavior and mental processes.
- Understand and apply psychological and sociological principles to personal, social, and legal issues.
- Weigh evidence, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of the law and criminal justice as a discipline.
Additional Opportunities
In addition to learning in the classroom, the criminal justice program provides students with opportunities such as:
- Engagement with Guest Speakers from the community
- Networking with community agencies
- Participation in Annual Social and Human Relations Department Symposium
- Service Learning
- Internship
More Recommended Programs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Criminal Justice - Associate of Arts Degree
2
YEARSAA
Explore the resources below for information, dates, and deadlines related to admissions, financial aid, registration, and next steps.
Dates & Deadlines for Credit Programs | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins 1 | N/A | Apr 10 | Nov 13 (2023) |
Open Registration Begins | Feb 27 | Apr 17 | Nov 20 (2023) |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | Jul 29 | Dec 16 (2023) |
Admission Deadline 2 | May 27 | Aug 12 | Jan 6 |
Last Day to Register for Classes | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Tuition and Fees Due | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Classes Begin 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 | Jan 16 |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time.
2 The Admission Deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines.
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the specific class session sections beneath the full Academic Calendar for more information.
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Start taking your math and science classes early on; do not wait until your second year at CWI.
CRIJ class offerings by semester:
- CRIJ 101: Fall, Spring, Summer
- CRIJ 102: Fall, Spring
- CRIJ 103: Fall, Spring, Summer
- CRIJ 104: Fall, Spring
- CRIJ 199: Varies
- CRIJ 270: Fall, Spring
- CRIJ 280: Fall, Spring
- CRIJ 290: Varies
- CRIJ 293: Varies
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with your CWI advisor and with representatives of your intended transfer school.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Law Enforcement (county, municipal, state or federal)
- Court Bailiff
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Coroner
- Dispatcher
- Victim Witness Coordinator
- Court Clerk
- Court Interpreter
- Jury Commissioner
- Bail Bondsman
- Correctional Officer
- Warden
- Probation Officer
- Parole Officer
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Juvenile Detention Officer
- Rehabilitation Specialist
Consider visiting http://cwidaho.myplan.com and click on the Careers tab, you can search the careers for which a degree in Criminal Justice is appropriate.
As you explore the MyPlan.com website, take the time to email CWI’s One Stop Student Services at onestop@cwi.edu to learn the access code that will allow you to complete Assessments of your interests, personality, values, and skills. This process will help you recognize some of the careers in the world of work that would be a good match for you as well as learn the educational path that will lead you to those careers.
There are many careers available in the criminal justice field. Different agencies require different educational levels. Many law enforcement agencies require a minimum of 60 college credits (associate degree). Please ensure you look at the educational requirements of the position you are interested in as requirements may vary from state to state.
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

CWI Adjunct Faculty, Vickie Gooch, helped chair an operation with Idaho State Police to save six women in Boise from human trafficking.

Tour provides students the opportunity to see first-hand how juveniles are living, learning, and working toward release and reintegration into the community.

CWI’s annual giving tree collects over 600 gifts for children in need in the Treasure Valley.

Unwrapped gifts will be collected on campus through Dec. 9 to help bring holiday cheer to children in the Treasure Valley.

Congratulations to Senior Coordinator of Course and Curriculum Management, Samantha Grapes, named CWI’s Staff of the Month for September 2021.

Brighten the holiday season for children in the Treasure Valley by donating gifts to the College’s annual Giving Tree.
Academic Transfer
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